16/07/2009
NEWS STORY
Former Peugeot rally and Ferrari F1 team boss Jean Todt has confirmed that he will stand for the FIA presidency in October.
The Frenchman's announcement comes just one day after Max Mosley announced that, contrary to earlier claims/threats, he will not stand to serve for a fifth term.
"Following the decision of Max Mosley not to seek a further term of office and his unequivocal support of my candidacy," said Todt in a statement today, "I have written to the FIA membership to inform them that I wish to stand for the Presidency of the FIA," said Todt in a statement. It is my intention to continue and expand the outstanding work of President Mosley."
Many were surprised - or maybe not - that in his letter to the FIA member clubs announcing his decision not to serve another term, Mosley chose not only to recommend his successor but to eulogise him. That said, there are many who believe Todt, if elected, would merely carry on where the Englishman left off.
There will be many opposed to Todt, not least because along with departure of Mosley they want a clean sweep of his entire inner sanctum. However, the job of buttering up the member clubs has already begun with Todt attempting to drum up support in Africa.